Olympic rowers for Arnold Classic Africa

Updated: April 25, 2017

The 2017 Arnold Classic Africa will have a touch of Olympic gold when the rowing code makes its debut at the continent’s largest Health and Fitness festival at the Sandton Convention Centre in Gauteng from 5-7 May.

As one of South Africa’s most successful federations at the Olympic Games, Rowing SA (RowSA) has an action-packed programme planned for the three days of the showpiece.

London Olympics gold medallist Sizwe Ndlovu and other members of the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games rowing teams will make their appearance at the Arnold Classic Africa where visitors will get an opportunity to try out indoor rowing on the ergometer machines.

in Rio South Africa qualified five boats through to the finals in their respective events, winning a silver medal through Lawrence Brittain and Shaun Keeling in the pairs category.

The first day will include development workshops for visiting schools where instructors will be on standby to run easy classes for groups or individuals.

RowingSA will host an indoor regatta and learn-to-row programme over the course of the weekend where the public will also be able to take on the country’s Olympians’ time over a distance of 250 metres.

Rowers from all over the country will take each other on over 1000 and 500m as well as some mixed team events over 500m during the senior, university, and masters ergo regatta on Saturday and Sunday.

RowSA president Sean Kerr said it was the ideal opportunity to get to know rowing not only as an Olympic sport but as a challenging and rewarding fitness regime.

‘We hope to raise the awareness of our sport, rowing doesn’t necessarily have to take place on water and indoor rowing is actually a big component of our Olympic team’s preparations,’ Kerr said.

The country’s Paralympic rowing team will also be in full force where they will encourage people with disabilities to have a go on the rowing machines.

Picture of Ndlovu and fellow gold medallists in London Olympic action courtesy of Getty Images